Best book on hand reading, ranges etc

[Cloodie]

Just re-reading PNL and I love the REM sections (Range, Equity, Maximise). Just think that they could've been longer though as it's such an important subject and one that many players find difficult.

Anyway my question is, which other books (if any) cover the above subjects well?

[avatar77]

To my knowledge, there aren't any books dedicated to this subject only.
I recently read somewhere (can't remember where) that this is really a trained art that comes with time and experience at the tables and just understanding your opponents.
In short, it would be tough to write a book on this because it is so situational.
Ciaffone and Reuben's book: PLNLP does discuss this a bit in some of their essays.

[jeffnc]

Cloodie, I agree with you, in hindsight that's something they could have extended slightly. But I also agree with avatar - it's really so situational. The best advice is probably going to be more along the lines of how to figure it out for yourself, rather than telling what what "typical" players would hold.

In other words, we need more help with techniques in making mental databases of these things. One thought I found helpful was from Angel Largay's book. He suggested that after every session, jot down in a notebook any specific little detail you remember from the session. For example, "Joe limped UTG with AK". You don't need to remember entire hands, just tidbits. He claims that you'll be surprised how quickly that can grow into a pretty large list, and in going over the list every once in awhile you can piece together some interesting clues.

But, no one can do this but you. Of course you can do the same online with the notes feature. But if you are constantly playing different players, it won't help.

If you go to a casino and play non-regulars, I think you'll find the styles so all-over-the-map that there's not a whole lot a book can do.

[Sunny Mehta]

Hi Cloodie,

Thanks for the kind words. FYI, we'll be going into much more detail about hand ranges in Volume Two. Look for it probably spring-ish.

-S

[1p0kerboy]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Cloodie,

Thanks for the kind words. FYI, we'll be going into much more detail about hand ranges in Volume Two. Look for it probably spring-ish.

-S

[/ QUOTE ]

Will volume 2 be geared towards beginners/easy games?

[Sunny Mehta]

[ QUOTE ]

Will volume 2 be geared towards beginners/easy games?

[/ QUOTE ]

hi pb,

Hard to say exactly at this point, but in general I think Volume Two will cover more advanced material than the first book. There will be much more stuff that's applicable to the online/6-max crowd. But honestly, ideally I'd like people to be able to use the hand range ideas to be able to adjust to any game (loose, tight, easy, tough), so I think we'll try to include as many examples from different game types as we can.

Thanks,

Sunny

[avatar77]

I found that Largay's book was quite good at giving examples on reading hand ranges - i.e. there was a statement where Largay mentioned if a guy was a big book reader, then you can expect him to play like a book - raising in early preflop position means he likely has AK, AQ or large pocket pair, etc...
I took Largay's advice and started a poker journal and I make it a goal to write at least one entry per session - whether it be a hand I played in or just an observation that I learned. If you do this, you'd be amazed at how much faster you are learning all the little nuances of the game.
Just yesterday, I was in a game at the casino and I saw a guy in early position limp in with pocket aces... he flopped a set, check raised the turn.. of course, you can't quite put him on top set just by that but I noticed a lot of little mannerisms that screamed out to me that he had a big hand: he tried to look very casual, almost bored,...he made a brief speech prior to betting and he looked away after he made the raise... those are little things that I would not have picked up before taking Largay's advice.

[Cloodie]

Thanks for the reply Sunny and I'll definately be looking out for Volume 2 when it's released. It is on my 'must buy' list along with Harrington's cash books.

[Cloodie]

[ QUOTE ]
I found that Largay's book was quite good at giving examples on reading hand ranges - i.e. there was a statement where Largay mentioned if a guy was a big book reader, then you can expect him to play like a book - raising in early preflop position means he likely has AK, AQ or large pocket pair, etc...
I took Largay's advice and started a poker journal and I make it a goal to write at least one entry per session - whether it be a hand I played in or just an observation that I learned. If you do this, you'd be amazed at how much faster you are learning all the little nuances of the game.
Just yesterday, I was in a game at the casino and I saw a guy in early position limp in with pocket aces... he flopped a set, check raised the turn.. of course, you can't quite put him on top set just by that but I noticed a lot of little mannerisms that screamed out to me that he had a big hand: he tried to look very casual, almost bored,...he made a brief speech prior to betting and he looked away after he made the raise... those are little things that I would not have picked up before taking Largay's advice.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll need to check out Largay. I like the journal idea as I have a terrible memory and tend to forget so much.